Laparoscopy is a minor surgical procedure during which a laparoscope is used to view the inside of your pelvic cavity.
Laparoscopy is most often a diagnostic procedure, but can also be used to treat many conditions causing infertility.
During a laparoscopy, your physician can see the ovaries, tubes, uterus, and other internal structures allowing him or her to identify any disease processes. If conditions such as endometriosis are present, they can often be treated surgically at the time of the diagnostic laparoscopy.
What is Laparoscopy?
A laparoscopy is an outpatient surgery performed at the hospital under general anesthesia.
In a diagnostic laparoscopy, your physician typically makes 2 to 3 small incisions in the abdomen, 1 at the belly button and 2 others on the lower abdomen near the pubic hair line.
The laparoscope resembles a small telescope and allows the physician to view the inside of the pelvic cavity.
The laparoscope is inserted through one of the incisions while operating tools are inserted through the others. Laparoscopy is a minor surgical procedure that uses a laparoscope to examine the inside of your pelvic cavity, helping diagnose and treat various conditions with minimal invasiveness.
Laparoscopies are usually performed by reproductive endocrinologists - surgeons who have years of advanced training and experience in laparoscopic surgery.
Reproductive endocrinologists perform most surgeries using the laparoscope including delicate procedures such as tubal surgery. This greatly reduces potential surgical complications, shortens recovery time, and reduces pain. There is usually no noticeable scarring from the laparoscopy.
When is Laparoscopy Recommended?
Laparoscopy may be recommended for some diagnostic or surgical procedures in the pelvis or lower abdomen. Laparoscopy may also be recommended to perform a biopsy.
Conditions Diagnosed or Treated with Laparoscopy
Some conditions diagnosed or treated with laparoscopy are lower abdominal pain, endometriosis, appendicitis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and some types of cancer.
After a Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is very safe and the chance of complication during surgery is very low. The most common complications experienced after laparoscopy are bleeding, infection and injury to the bowel or bladder.
Most people return home the same day that the laparoscopy is performed. You may feel drowsy after surgery for one day. You may experience cramping or pain from the abdominal incisions, but oral pain relievers prescribed by your physician will help to make you comfortable after your laparoscopy.
Most people return to work within 2 weeks after their laparoscopy.
Benefits of Laparoscopy
Using laparoscopy greatly reduces potential surgical complications, shortens recovery time, and reduces pain. There is usually no noticeable scarring from the laparoscopy.
When conditions can be surgically treated during a diagnostic laparoscopy it eliminates the need for a second procedure.